Changing Patterns in the Age Distribution of Crime in Queensland Crime Research Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Changing Patterns in the Age Distribution of Crime in Queensland Crime Research Report Queensland Government Statistician’s Office QUEENSLAND TREASURY Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland Crime research report April 2021 Queensland Government Statistician’s Office Queensland Government Statistician’s Office Queensland Treasury www.qgso.qld.gov.au © The State of Queensland (Queensland Treasury) 2021 The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. However, copyright protects this publication. The State of Queensland has no objection to this material being reproduced, made available online or electronically but only if it is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered. Licence This document is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Attribution Content from this report should be attributed to: Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury, Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland . Disclaimer While great care has been taken in collecting, processing analysing, and extracting information, Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury makes no warranty regarding errors or omissions and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the information . Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland ii Queensland Government Statistician’s Office Contents Acronyms .................................................................................................................... v Summary ................................................................................................................... vii 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Background ...................................................................................................... 2 2.1. Age and crime ..................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2. Recent changes in offending patterns ................................................................................................. 2 2.3. Research objectives ............................................................................................................................ 2 3.0 Method .............................................................................................................. 3 3.1. Data .................................................................................................................................................... 3 3.2. Prevalence, frequency and age distribution of frequency of offending ................................................. 3 3.3. Limitations ........................................................................................................................................... 4 4.0 Results .............................................................................................................. 5 4.1. Offender and offences overview .......................................................................................................... 5 4.2. Age–crime offending patterns .............................................................................................................. 6 4.3. Offending patterns by gender .............................................................................................................. 8 4.4. Offending patterns by Indigenous status ........................................................................................... 13 4.5. Offending patterns by gender and Indigenous status ......................................................................... 18 5.0 Discussion ...................................................................................................... 27 5.1. Key findings ....................................................................................................................................... 27 5.2. Explaining changes in youth offending patterns ................................................................................. 28 5.3. Future research ................................................................................................................................. 29 5.4. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 29 Glossary and explanatory notes .............................................................................. 31 References ................................................................................................................ 34 Appendix A: Additional tables ................................................................................. 36 Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland iii Queensland Government Statistician’s Office Tables and figures Table 1 Descriptive statistics related to offences, events and offenders in each reference period ........... 5 Table 2 Descriptive statistics of male and female offenders, 2008–09 and 2017–18 ............................... 8 Table 3 Descriptive statistics of Indigenous and non-Indigenous offenders, 2008–09 and 2017–18 ...... 13 Table 4 Descriptive statistics of offenders by Indigenous status and gender, 2008–09 and 2017–18 .... 18 Figure 1 Age-specific rates of offending for unique offenders in Queensland, 2008–09 and 2017–18 ...... 6 Figure 2 Average number of events by age of offender, 2008–09 and 2017–18 ....................................... 7 Figure 3 Age distribution of frequency of crime, 2008–09 and 2017–18 ................................................... 8 Figure 4 Age-specific rates of male offenders .......................................................................................... 9 Figure 5 Average events by age of male offenders ................................................................................ 10 Figure 6 Age distribution of frequency of crime: male offenders ............................................................. 10 Figure 7 Age-specific rates of female offenders...................................................................................... 11 Figure 8 Average events by age of female offenders by age .................................................................. 12 Figure 9 Age distribution of frequency of crime: female offenders .......................................................... 12 Figure 10 Age-specific rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders ........................................ 14 Figure 11 Average events by age: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders ................................... 15 Figure 12 Age distribution of frequency of crime: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders ............ 15 Figure 13 Age-specific rates of non-Indigenous offenders ........................................................................ 16 Figure 14 Average events by age: non-Indigenous offenders ................................................................... 17 Figure 15 Age distribution of frequency of crime: non-Indigenous offenders ............................................. 17 Figure 16 Age-specific rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male offenders ............................... 19 Figure 17 Average events by age: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male offenders .......................... 20 Figure 18 Age distribution of frequency of crime: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male offenders .... 20 Figure 19 Age-specific rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female offenders ............................ 21 Figure 20 Average events by age: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female offenders ....................... 22 Figure 21 Age distribution of frequency of crime: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female offenders . 22 Figure 22 Age-specific rates of non-Indigenous male offenders ............................................................... 23 Figure 23 Average events by age: Non–Indigenous male offenders ......................................................... 24 Figure 24 Age distribution of frequency of crime: Non–Indigenous male offenders ................................... 24 Figure 25 Age-specific rates of non–Indigenous female offenders ........................................................... 25 Figure 26 Average events by age: Non-Indigenous female offenders ....................................................... 26 Figure 27 Age distribution of frequency of crime: Non–Indigenous female offenders ................................ 26 Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland iv Queensland Government Statistician’s Office Acronyms ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics ERP estimated resident population NSW New South Wales QGSO Queensland Government Statistician’s Office QPRIME Queensland Police Records and Information Management Exchange QPS Queensland Police Service Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland v Queensland Government Statistician’s Office Research at a glance Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland There have been changes in offender demographic composition and their offending frequency. These changes are likely to have implications for the development of criminal justice responses. * When
Recommended publications
  • A Guide for Victims of Crime in Queensland
    Department of www.justice.qld.gov.au Justice and Attorney-General A guide for victims of crime in Queensland Victim Assist Queensland Tomorrow’s Queensland: strong, green, smart, healthy and fair Section 1 Introduction Victim Assist Queensland provides assistance for victims of crime in Queensland to help them to recover from the effects of a violent crime and get their lives back on track. Victim Assist Queensland is part of the Queensland Government’s Department of Justice and Attorney-General. This booklet has been written by Victim Assist Queensland for you, the victim of crime, and your friends and family who may have been directly or indirectly affected by a violent crime. Violent crimes are not just offences like assault, robbery and murder. Violent crimes also include sexual assault or abuse, stalking and kidnapping, death caused by dangerous driving and violence that happens at home or in your family. In this booklet you will find information on support available to you, including information on where to go for counselling and legal support. You will also find information on your rights as a victim of crime and how you may be able to apply for financial assistance from Victim Assist Queensland to help cover the costs of your recovery. This booklet also aims to explain as simply as possible how the criminal justice system in Queensland works for victims of crime, from the time a crime is reported to the police to when a matter is going through court. Contents Section 1 Introduction Page 1 Section 2 The impact of violent crime
    [Show full text]
  • Project KRYSTAL a Strategic Assessment of Organised Crime In
    Queensland Crime Commission Queensland Police Service I~CC Crime Commi"ion Project KRYSTAL A Strategic Assessment of Organised Crime in Queensland JUNE 1999 PUBLIC INFORMATION PAPER The Queensland Crime Commission is charged pursuant to Section 28 (l)(e) ofthe Crime Commission Act 1997 with responsibility for the maintenance ofan effective intelligence service about organised crime and the monitoring of collected intelligence data with a view to forecasting trends in organised crime. Queensland Crime Commission and Queensland Police Service, 1999 lSB~: 0-646-37622-5 Queensland Crime Commission Level 2 Unisys House 147 Coronation Drive Milton Qld 4064 GPO Box 3123 Brisbane Qld 4001 Tel.: (07) 3238 4100 Fax.: (07) 3238 4111 E-mail: [email protected] ii Queensland Crime Commission - Queensland Police Service CONTENTS Abbreviations............................................................................... v Acknowledgements........................................................................ vi Foreword..................................................................................... vii Executive summary........................................................................ ix 1 Introduction............................................................................ 1 Purpose.............................. 1 Methodology. .... .......... ........................... .. ................... ... .. ... .. 1 Parameters ...................................................................... 2 Overview ofchapters .........................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide for Victims of Crime in Queensland
    Department of Justice and Attorney-General Victim Assist Queensland A guide for Victims of Crime in Queensland 5825_VAQ_Guide for Victims of Crime A5 BOOKLET.indd 1 13/10/17 10:30 am My important contacts Victim Assist Queensland | 1300 546 587 (Monday–Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm except public holidays) Email | [email protected] For a free interpreting service call: 13 14 50 and ask for Victim Assist Queensland My application number is My Victim Coordination Officer is Queensland Police | 13 14 44 (Policelink for non-urgent enquiries) My local police station My police contact (arresting officer) My police report number is QP Queensland Health Victim Support Service | 1800 208 005 My Victim Support Coordinator is Legal Aid Queensland | 1300 651 188 My Legal Aid contact is Other contacts and important notes A guide for victims of crime in Queensland | 5825_VAQ_Guide for Victims of Crime A5 BOOKLET.indd 2 13/10/17 10:30 am Section 1 Introduction Introduction Victim Assist Queensland (Victim Assist) provides help for victims of crime in Queensland to help them recover from the effects of violent crime and get their lives back on track. Victim Assist is part of the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General. This booklet is a guide for people affected by a violent crime, as well as their family and friends. Violent crimes can include assault, robbery, murder, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking and kidnapping and dangerous driving causing death and serious injury. It also includes victims who have suffered injuries as a result of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), including those who have suffered emotional or economic abuse.
    [Show full text]
  • Mudrooroo: a Likely Story
    Mudrooroo: A Likely Story Identity and Belonging in Postcolonial Australia A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree Doctor of Philosophy from UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG by Maureen Clark, B.A. (Hons. First Class) Faculty of Arts 2003 Contents Acknowledgments Abstract Introduction i Part I I. Mudrooroo.author 1 II. A Question of Belonging Somewhere 19 III. The Death of the Mother 58 Part II IV. Belonging Nowhere: The Wildcat Trilogy 76 V. Vampirising Oppositional Histories: Long Live Sandawara 122 VI. Shared Histories and Shifting Identities: Doctor Wooreddy’s Prescription for Enduring the Ending of the World 156 VII. Spectral Paradise: The Kwinkan 188 VIII. Violent Histories of Identity and Belonging: Master of the Ghost Dreaming 216 IX. Seductive (In)human(e) Entanglements: 242 The Vampire Trilogy Conclusion 290 Bibliography 303 Acknowledgments A culturally sensitive project such as this could never have been undertaken without the help and support of a number of people. I should like to say here that I am indebted in particular to the unfailingly generous efforts and encouragement of my supervisor Associate Professor Gerry Turcotte, during what has sometimes been an emotionally fraught journey. For his magnanimous responses to my draft chapters, I am also grateful to my second supervisor Associate Professor Paul Sharrad, from whose wise counsel and suggestions I have consistently benefited. Mrs. Betty Polglaze, Mudrooroo’s older sister, deserves special mention and appreciation. The trust she and other members of her family have afforded me during the time taken to complete this work is beyond measure. I would also like to thank Nyoongar Elder Rosemary van den Berg, Head of Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University of Technology Pat Dudgeon, as well as Nyoongar women Glenda Kickett and Tracey Kickett.
    [Show full text]
  • Imprisonment and Recidivism Contents
    AUGUST 2019 SUMMARY REPORT Imprisonment and Recidivism Contents Foreword 01 1 What is the inquiry about? 03 Consultation 05 What stakeholders told us 06 2 Imprisonment is a growing problem 07 3 Reform options 17 Build a better decision-making architecture 17 Reduce the scope of criminal offences 20 Deal with offending in better ways 24 Improve rehabilitation and reintegration 28 Target prevention and early intervention 30 Expand diversionary options 32 Addressing Indigenous overrepresentation 34 Recommendations 37 Queensland Productivity Commission 01 Foreword In September 2018, the Queensland Government directed the Queensland Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry into imprisonment and recidivism. This report summarises our findings and recommendations. Despite declining crime rates, imprisonment rates in Queensland are increasing. Imprisonment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are high and growing, and the rate of imprisonment of women is also growing. These matters are not unique to Queensland and reflect wider Australian trends. Imprisonment is an expensive response to crime and directly costs the Queensland community almost one billion dollars annually. Incarceration has profound impacts on prisoners, their families and the community. Our findings challenge the notion that community safety is best served by continuing the current approach. We propose a comprehensive suite of recommendations which we believe will improve outcomes, reduce costs and keep communities safer. Our report makes the case for a narrowing of the scope of criminal offences. We argue for some crimes to be punished with non-custodial options. We propose a greater role for restitution and restorative justice. We recommend widening the sentencing options available to the courts.
    [Show full text]
  • Childrens Court of Queensland Annual Report 1997-1998
    Childrens Court of Queensland Fifth Annual Report 1997-1998 CHILDRENS COURT OF QUEENSLAND Chambers of the President November 1998 The Honourable Matt Foley MLA Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Arts Sir, In accordance with the requirements of s.22 of the Childrens Court Act 1992, I have the honour to submit to you for presentation in Parliament the Fifth Annual Report of the Childrens Court of Queensland for 1997-98. Judge McGuire President of the Childrens Court of Queensland Childrens Court, 30-40 Quay Sreet, Brisbane, Q 4000. Telephone: (07) 3365 9841 Facsimile: (07) 3365 9890 Childrens Court of Queensland Annual Report 1997-98 I TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. JUVENILE CRIME: TRENDS IN 1997-98 .............. 6 2. INTRODUCTION .............................. 7 Divided opinion ......................... 7 The role of the Courts ..................... 7 Legislative re-direction .................... 8 Looking back ........................... 8 The horse has bolted ..................... 8 Statistics .............................. 9 Public concern .......................... 9 Key factors ............................ 10 3. REFORMS IN BRITAIN AND CANADA: A MODEL TO FOLLOW. 11 A 'crime ti mebomb' ..................... 11 Proposed reforms ....................... 11 Public protection first .................... 12 Measures in the Crime and Disorder Bill ...... 12 Queensland legislators should take note ...... 13 Strategies - short and long term ............ 14 Governments and the moral issue ........... 14 4. THE AUGUST AMENDMENTS
    [Show full text]
  • Inquiry Into Imprisonment and Recidivism © Queensland Productivity Commission 2019
    August 2019 APPENDICES Inquiry into Imprisonment and Recidivism © Queensland Productivity Commission 2019 The Queensland Productivity Commission supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. However, copyright protects this document. The Queensland Productivity Commission has no objection to this material being reproduced, made available online or electronically but only if it is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered. This report is available online and in PDF format on our website. WEB qpc.qld.gov.au TEL (07) 3015 5111 email [email protected] ABN 18 872 336 955 Appendix A: Terms of reference Appendix A: Terms of reference Inquiry into Imprisonment and Recidivism Context The growth in prisoner numbers is a serious and growing public policy concern for Queensland. • The imprisonment rate of people in Queensland prisons increased by 40 per cent in the five years from 2012 to 2017, around five times the population growth rate for Queensland. • The imprisonment rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders increased by 50 per cent over the same period. • Recidivism is high with more than 60 per cent of new prisoners having been in prison before. • Of further concern is the real increase of imprisonment of women, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The growth of prisoner numbers has major social and economic implications for affected individuals and the wider Queensland community. It also has significant financial implications for government. Change is necessary however, the problem is complex. Prisoner numbers reflects underlying forces including long term social and economic factors and community views about criminal justice; but they also reflect the daily activity and decisions at key points within the criminal justice system, sentencing and legislative frameworks, police resourcing and decisions, sentencing practices, court workloads and access to support services including legal aid.
    [Show full text]
  • Record of Proceedings
    PROOF ISSN 1322-0330 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Hansard Home Page: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/hansard/ E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (07) 3406 7314 Fax: (07) 3210 0182 Subject FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-THIRD PARLIAMENT Page Tuesday, 15 November 2011 ASSENT TO BILLS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3545 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 28 October 2011, from Her Excellency the Governor to Mr Speaker advising of assent to bills on 28 October 2011....................................................................................................... 3545 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 4 November 2011, from Her Excellency the Governor to Mr Speaker advising of assent to bills on 4 November 2011. .................................................................................................... 3545 SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................ 3546 Loan of Documents ............................................................................................................................................................ 3546 PRIVILEGE ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3546 Speaker’s Ruling, Ethics Committee Report .....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of DNA Evidence on the Criminal Justice Process
    The Effects of DNA Evidence on the Criminal Justice Process Author Briody, Michael Published 2005 Thesis Type Thesis (PhD Doctorate) School School of Criminology and Criminal Justice DOI https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/2417 Copyright Statement The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366784 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au THE EFFECTS OF DNA EVIDENCE ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS Michael Briody Adv Cert Pol, BA(Hons 1) School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty of Arts Griffith University Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy November 2004 Confidential Appendix With the approval of the Dean, Graduate Studies, five brief confidential interviews have been removed from the thesis. The author conducted these interviews with investigating police officers in relation to cases where DNA evidence was produced in court, but an acquittal nevertheless resulted. The interviews were removed from the following pages: 104, 127 and 151-2. ii ABSTRACT This research examines the effects of forensic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence on decisions in the courts and on the conduct of criminal investigations. To assess effects on court decisions, quantitative analyses were conducted using primary data from the State of Queensland. A control-comparison method was used to assess the effects in court, and this was made within a context of other evidentiary and extra- legal factors that had a bearing on case outcomes. These other factors included defendant confessions, independent witness testimony and fingerprint and photographic evidence. A sample of 750 cases referred by police for prosecution and finalised past the appeal stage in court, was selected for examination.
    [Show full text]
  • Sentencing for Criminal Offences Arising from the Death of a Child
    i Sentencing for criminal offences arising from the death of a child Final report October 2018 ii Warning to readers This report contains subject matter that may be distressing to readers. Explicit material describing fatal offences against children, drawn from sentencing remarks, is included in this report. If you need to talk to someone, support is available: • Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 • Victim Assist Queensland: 1300 546 587 (business hours) • MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 For information and assistance about child safety issues, please contact • Queensland Family & Child Commission: 3900 6000 (business hours) Sentencing for criminal offences arising from the death of a child: Final report Published by Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, October 2018 © Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council 2018 This final report is available for download from the Council’s website: www.sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au This final report is licensed by Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 International licence. CC BY licence summary statement In essence, you are free to copy, communicate and adapt this annual report, as long as you attribute the work to Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Content from this final report should be attributed as — Sentencing for criminal offences arising from the death of a child: Final report, Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, October 2018. Disclaimer The content of this final report is for the purpose of promoting discussion only and does not represent Queensland Government policy. While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this final report, no responsibility or liability is assumed for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or injury, financial or otherwise, suffered by any person acting or relying on information contained in or omitted from this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • A Snapshot of Crime in Queensland CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION
    A Snapshot of Crime in Queensland CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION Research Paper Series Volume 5, Number 1 February 1999 ISSN: 1327-9637 Introduction This paper has been prepared to assist in informing the Queensland public about the extent and nature of crime in the State. Issues addressed are: • What are the main crime trends in Queensland? paper • Which areas of Queensland have the highest crime research rates? • Which groups are most at risk? What are theinside main crime trends in • Who are the offenders? Queensland? ......................................... 2 Offences against the person .................... 2 Offences against property ....................... 2 • What crimes are of most concern at the local level? Other offences .......................................... 3 Which areas of Queensland have • How does Queensland compare to other jurisdictions? the highest crime rates?........................ 4 Offences against the person .................... 4 Residential break and enter ..................... 4 The paper draws primarily on recorded crime statistics Which groups are most at risk? ........... 4 compiled by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and crime Who are the offenders? ........................ 7 victimisation surveys undertaken by bodies such as the What crimes are of most concern Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Queensland at the local level? ................................. 7 Government Statistician’s Office (GSO). The advantages and How does Queensland compare to limitations of each type of data are briefly summarised on other jurisdictions? ............................... 7 Information sources ............................. 8 page 8. Key findings ........................................ 9 Acknowledgments The CJC acknowledges the assistance of the QPS in providing unpublished data for this paper, which was originally prepared for the Queensland Government’s Crime Prevention Task Force. CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION 1 What are the main crime practices — has remained reasonably stable at about 2 per 100,000 population.
    [Show full text]
  • 04 Prenzler FN
    Reform in Politics, Criminal Justice and the Police in Post- Fitzgerald Queensland: An Assessment Author Prenzler, T Published 2009 Journal Title Griffith Law Review Copyright Statement © 2009 Griffith Law School. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/30038 Link to published version http://www.griffith.edu.au/criminology-law/griffith-law-review/previous-issues/volumes-12-19/ volume1832009 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au REFORM IN POLITICS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE POLICE IN POST-FITZGERALD QUEENSLAND An Assessment Tim Prenzler* This article reviews the main recommendations and reforms emanating from the 1989 Fitzgerald Inquiry in Queensland. The ups and downs of the reform process are chronicled under the three headings of ʻpoliticsʼ, ʻcriminal justiceʼ and ʻpoliceʼ. In politics, there has been a retreat from Fitzgeraldʼs vision for integrity in government, evidenced by bias in the electoral system, the failure to establish transparency in government decision-making, violations of appointment by merit, and the politicisation of policing. In criminal justice, major hypocrisies and inefficiencies remain in the operation of the law, with a regressive approach to crime reduction through over- reliance on imprisonment. In policing, the Fitzgerald vision for community policing was never implemented at the local level, and the pre-Fitzgerald model of police investigating police remains dominant. The article is focused on describing the nature and extent of the subversion of reform, with some reference to two contributing factors.
    [Show full text]